MGB GT

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One of the most desirable creations ever to come out of the BMC Competitions Department, the MGC GTS was aimed squarely at taking the fight to the opposition in endurance racing particularly the Sebring 12 hour race.  Only six body shells were built, all with those trademark flared arches and all to be powered by a race-tuned version of the standard C-Series 2,912cc straight-six fitted with triple Webers.

FVN219J left BMC’s Abingdon factory in 1975 as a standard white MGB GT. After some 37 years running in original specification it was acquired by the current owner in 2012, a well-respected race mechanic who spent his working hours fettling lightweight E Types and Ford Falcons. Starting in 2013 he decided to turn the MGB into an exciting historic MGC GTS Sebring style road car that would be reliable and have upgraded performance and handling. Having decided that a modern 2 litre Zetec engine was the way to go it meant more under bonnet space was needed so a fibreglass MGC item was procured. 

As is usual with projects of this type, especially with a fastidious builder, no expense was spared. The Zetec engine with twin 45 Dellortos was linked to mappable ignition and a 5 speed Sierra gearbox. With approximately 200hp on tap, 8 inch wide rubber on 15 inch Minilite wheels was required to put the power down and fill the Sebring style arches. The braking system, master cylinder, hoses, dampers, springs were all upgraded and improved.

The attention to detail is not limited to the oily bits either! New carpets, smart re upholstered seats with red piping, refurbished dashboard with new instruments and a Motolita steering wheel completed the look. It is a car that really needs to be seen to take in the attention to detail.

The build was completed in 2014 and a folder of invoices, bills and photographs of the process will come with the car. The Vendor spent about £8,000 on the rebuild which doesn’t sound much but add the 1000s hours of his expert labour to the bill and it would certainly have been substantially more!

As can be seen from the photographs it looks the business in Gunmetal Grey, with only a few minor paint issues. A drivers car that’s fast AND reliable, surely a recipe for a summer of fun?